BlueCollarEarthwork
1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.
OPERATING ENGINEERS
Heavy Equipment
Grade, excavation, haul and production math. Use the tabs below to switch between working calculators and quick field-reference material.
Heavy Equipment
Equipment Production
Estimate hourly production from bucket size, cycle time, and efficiency.
Open calculator → Heavy EquipmentTruck Loads
Estimate loads needed from total yards and truck capacity.
Open calculator → Heavy EquipmentExcavation Volume
Estimate excavation cubic yards from length, width, depth, and swell percentage.
Open calculator →Field-reference aid. Use approved drawings, current codes/standards, manufacturer data and job-specific procedures for final decisions—especially for lifting, electrical, pressure, fire-protection and life-safety work.
Grade
Percent grade = rise ÷ run × 100.
Material volume
Bank, loose and compacted volumes can differ substantially; use job-specific swell/shrink factors.
Machine limits
Capacity, lifting and slope limits must come from the machine manufacturer and jobsite plan.
Need a specific table or takeoff chart?
Send us what you use in the field and we can build it into this trade section.
Suggest reference data